The Thomas Lubanga defense today called their third witness who testified that although he was never in the armed forces, he and other boys who had equally never served in any military group were paraded before some unnamed people as former child soldiers. The witness, Claude Nyéki Django, said a man known as Dudu took…
A witness today told the war crimes trial of Thomas Lubanga that intermediaries of the International Criminal Court (ICC) gave him US$200 as payment for convincing his nephew to give false testimony against the accused. The boy subsequently testified as a prosecution witness and claimed that he was a former child soldier in Lubanga’s militia…
NOTE FROM EDITOR: Below is an unofficial transcript of the opening statement of Thomas Lubanga Dyilo’s defense team today, presented by his lead counsel, Catherine Mabille. It seems clear the defense is going to take two tracks in the coming months: (1) challenge the truthfulness and integrity of prosecution witnesses, arguing that many of them were not in…
Three years, 10 months, one week. That is how long for he has waited. This week, Thomas Lubanga gets to start telling judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) why they should set him free. The 49-year-old psychology graduate has pleaded not guilty to the war crimes over which he first appeared in court at…
Former child soldiers in the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC), the group which war crimes accused Thomas Lubanga is alleged to have led, this week recounted stories of torture, whippings and brutal punishments of boys and girls who served in the militia group. Two former child soldiers told the Lubanga trial at the International Criminal…
Expansive and inclusive definitions of child soldiering crimes – and why girl soldiers deserve special attention – will likely be the focus of today’s testimony as the trial of Congolese militia leader, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, starts up again at the International Criminal Court today after a six month long hiatus. Mr. Lubanga has pleaded not…
In an historic moment — the first day of the first trial at the International Criminal Court – the chief Prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo, introduced his first case. He described the ground-breaking nature of his case, the importance of the charges against Thomas Lubanga – the war crimes of conscription, enlistment and use of child soldiers — and…
We cannot forget the opening statements by the legal representatives of the victims on the first day of trial. Here, the legal representatives speak on behalf of the victims of the crimes in the DRC with which Thomas Lubanga is being charged with criminal responsibility. Each speaks with some passion about the experiences and suffering their clients - many…
ICC Deputy Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has been present in court almost every day of the prosecution’s case against Thomas Lubanga, which concluded on July 14. She recently spoke to the Lubanga Trial website about the controversy over sexual violence charges, the challenges of witness protection, and why victims’ participation is important. Rachel Irwin: The issue…
Thomas Lubanga captured and forcibly conscripted a young boy, a child protection specialist told defense lawyers on Monday. Witness Christine Peduto, who worked for the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), said that she had interviewed the boy in question. He told her that in February 2003, Lubanga and six…
Thomas Lubanga on trial at the International Criminal Court. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo is the first person to be tried by the International Criminal Court. A former rebel leader in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lubanga is accused of conscripting, enlisting, and using child soldiers. More
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